The 2026 NFL draft has the potential to be one of the all-time greats for quarterback prospects.
As many as eight passers could potentially go in the first round — Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, Indiana’s Francisco Mendoza, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Miami’s Carson Beck, Penn State’s Drew Allar, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, and Texas’ Arch Manning.
While Manning is arguably the biggest wild card of the class given he’s likely to stay at Texas for at least one more season (Manning did not look NFL ready in his season opener against Ohio State), the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick is one worth having considering there’s no real frontrunner right now.
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LaNorris Sellers #16 of the South Carolina Gamecocks scrambles away from Michael Short #30 of the Virginia Tech Hokies during the fourth quarter of a football game at Mercedes Benz Stadium on August 31, 2025…
LaNorris Sellers #16 of the South Carolina Gamecocks scrambles away from Michael Short #30 of the Virginia Tech Hokies during the fourth quarter of a football game at Mercedes Benz Stadium on August 31, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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However, one QB from that group may have established himself as the player to beat in the eyes of some NFL executives following Week 1 of the college football season, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
“South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers just showed us why he’s such a unique prospect,” Schultz wrote on X. “Spoke with one NFL executive: ‘Cheat code w/that size and speed,’ ‘Strong a** arm, even for NFL QB,’ ’20 yrs old w/that talent? Sign me up.'”
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South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers just showed us why he’s such a unique prospect. Spoke with one NFL executive:
• “Cheat code w/that size and speed”
• “Strong a** arm, even for NFL QB”
• “20 yrs old w/that talent? Sign me up.” pic.twitter.com/gnA5i0ukR6
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 31, 2025
Sellers had quite an impressive outing in the Gamecocks’ 24-11 win over Virginia Tech on Sunday. The redshirt sophomore completed 12 of 19 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another 25 yards and a touchdown.
Sellers has been on the NFL‘s radar ever since last season, and his impressive performance against the Hokies comes just two days after ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. named him as one of three players (along with Manning and Allar) that he believes could go No. 1 overall next April.
“I think [Manning is] going to have a huge season in Year 3 at Texas,” Kiper Jr. wrote. “But … I also think he’s going to return to school. That opens the door even more for Sellers and Allar. These two are what I call ‘LTPers’ — they look the part. They have great size and strength, and they move well.
“Sellers threw 18 touchdowns last season, his first as the starter. The physical traits are all there. He just has to put it all together. I’m also a fan of Allar’s game, and Penn State’s upgrades at wide receiver should help him step up to another level in 2025. I know I’m projecting a little bit with both signal-callers, but hey, these are predictions after all.”
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